The “Binnadang culture” of bayanihan was once again immortalized by the Highland Cops of the 1st Benguet Provincial Mobile Force Company as they transported a lady named Jane Collado, who was recently discharged from the hospital by means of a “batawil,” an improvised stretcher made of bamboo poles and cloth.
Nanay Jane is a bedridden patient who still is unable to walk on her own. On June 10, 2022, after being discharged from the hospital, she still was able to go back to her home, together with her family at Sitio Caringal, Caliking in the Town of Atok, Benguet.
But because of the unpassable roads for any kind of transport vehicle, and a difficult foot trail going to Nanay Jane’s residence, the PNP personnel led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Dino W. Cogasi, Force Commander of the 1st Benguet PMFC, had to improvise a stretcher and assisted in carrying her.
Later, together, the troops transported Nanay Jane safely through the traditional method, from the highway to her home, walking for more than an hour traversing rough terrains and steep slopes.
“Batawil” is an indigenous practice in Atok, Benguet, usually done to carry patients or elders from remote mountainous areas, where a foot trail is the only available access towards the hospital, or to another place or to the nearest road, and vice versa. Batawil is also known as “fulig,” “bulig,” “inassiw” or the “ambulansyang de paa” in other areas.
Indeed, the Highland Cops, together with the rest of the Police Regional Office Cordillera family led by Police Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee, Regional Director, are ever steadfast to their call of duty by extending help to the community who needs immediate assistance, not necessarily in fighting criminality, but in matters relative to transporting necessities or in emergency cases.
